Otters’ Anthony Cirelli named CHL Player of the Week

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Anthony Cirelli of the Erie Otters is the CHL Player of the Week for the playoff week ending April 30 after scoring four goals and five assists for nine points in four games with a plus-minus rating of plus-6.

Cirelli helped the Otters earn an OHL Western Conference title claiming the Wayne Gretzky Trophy with a 4-2 series win over the Owen Sound Attack with a trio of multi-point performances in the final three games. In Game 3 last Monday he contributed an assist despite the 6-3 loss, then scored a goal and an assist in Game 4 on Wednesday earning first star honours as the Otters tied the series 2-2 with a 4-3 victory. Cirelli’s play was again impactful in Game 5 on Friday with two assists in the 4-2 win, then in Game 6 on Sunday helped clinch the series with a hat-trick and an assist as first star of the 7-2 win. The Otters have now advanced to the OHL Championship Series where they will face the Mississauga Steelheads beginning Thursday in Erie.

Anthony Cirelli of the Erie Otters. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

A 19-year-old from Woodbridge, ON, Cirelli is playing in his third OHL season and first with the Otters after being acquired from the Oshawa Generals in January. In 17 playoff games he ranks fifth in scoring with 23 points including 13 goals and 10 assists. In 25 games with Erie he scored 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points bringing his 2016-17 totals to a career-high 25 goals and 39 assists for 64 points in 51 games. The third round pick of the Lightning helped the Generals capture a 2015 OHL Championship and a 2015 Mastercard Memorial Cup title scoring the overtime winner against the Kelowna Rockets in Quebec City.

Also considered for the award this week was Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Adam Brooks of the Regina Pats who scored one goal and seven assists for eight points in four games advancing to the WHL Championship Series with a 4-2 series win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes. In addition, Ottawa Senators prospect Thomas Chabot of the Saint John Sea Dogs scored twice with four assists for six points in four games advancing to the QMJHL Final with a 4-2 series win over the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.